The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is a 501(c)(6) non-profit, non-partisan organization composed of members of the Texas House of Representatives committed to addressing issues of particular importance to Latinos across the state.
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The Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) was founded in 1973 in the Texas House of Representatives by a small group of lawmakers of Mexican American heritage for the purpose of strengthening their numbers and better representing a united Latino constituency across the state.
In the 1990s, recognizing the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas and anticipating a new ethnic majority, MALC opened membership eligibility to House members of any race or ethnicity who represent majority-Latino constituencies.
Latinos today represent Texas’ fastest growing political and economic sector. To meet the needs of this rapidly growing population, MALC serves as an information clearinghouse to Caucus members and non-members alike. By researching the implications of policy on Texas' Hispanic communities and by voting together, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus ensures that the interests of all Texans are represented.
MALC’s educational outreach initiatives, conducted between bi-annual sessions of the Texas Legislature, strive to raise the level of Latino engagement in Texas government and politics.
In 2011, MALC has a membership of 39 House members from all parts of the state, and is the second-largest caucus in Texas. MALC members vote as a bloc on consequential matters for Latino constituents.
2011 Officers
Chairman Trey Martinez Fischer San Antonio
Vice-Chairman Eddie Rodriguez Austin
Secretary Armando "Mando" Martinez Weslaco
Treasurer Roland Gutierrez San Antonio
Legal Counsel Veronica Gonzales McAllen
Jose Aliseda Beeville
Roberto Alonzo Dallas
Carol Alvarado Houston
Rafael M. Anchía Dallas
Lon Burnam Fort Worth
Joaquín Castro San Antonio
Garnet Coleman Houston
Dawnna Dukes Austin
Joe Farias San Antonio
Jessica Farrar Houston
Pete Gallego Alpine
John Garza San Antonio
Larry Gonzales Round Rock
Naomi Gonzalez El Paso
Ryan Guillen Rio Grande City
Ana E. Hernández Luna Houston
Scott Hochberg Houston
Tracy O. King Eagle Pass
Jose Manuel Lozano Kingsville
Eddie Lucio, III San Benito
Dee Margo El Paso
Marisa Marquez El Paso
Ruth McClendon San Antonio
José Menéndez San Antonio
Sergio Muñoz Mission
Elliott Naishtat Austin
René Oliveira Brownsville
Aaron Peña Edinburg
Joseph Picket El Paso
Chente Quintanilla El Paso
Richard Peña Raymond Laredo
Raul Torres Corpus Christi
Michael Villarreal San Antonio
Armando Walle Houston